Matthew Hinton, The Times-Picayune archivePlaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser's campaign for lieutenant governor picked up the endorsement Thursday of Sen. David Vitter.

Vitter held news conferences with Nungesser in Baton Rouge and New Orleans to tout his candidate as the "true conservative in the race. ... I am very very proud to be here to strongly support and endorse" Nungesser.

Vitter said that Nungesser "represents our mainstream, conservative Louisiana values. He is not a RINO (Republican in Name Only) in any way."

Vitter has made it plain he will be a player in the fall elections through his Louisiana Committee for a Republican Majority. The committee is working to elect more GOP lawmakers to the Legislature.

Vitter last week announced his support of House Speaker Jim Tucker, R-Algiers, over Secretary of State Tom Schedler, also a Republican, and former top assistant to Dardenne when Dardenne was secretary of state.

Ed Anderson can be reached at eanderson@timespicayune.com or 225.342.5810.